Long term storage 6+ months

[merc3065]

I’m new to diesel engines and wanted to know if anyone has experience with storing an eco diesel for more than 6 months.

I am used to storing my motorcycle and other cars over the winter. Ie: battery maintainer, wash before storage, change oil, top up all fluids, clean out interior, put some of those large RV desiccant packs inside to keep moisture down. Will also be doing the driveline service before storage and will be putting the truck up on jack stands to avoid flat spots in the tires.

Truck will be stored indoors.

With diesels do you need to fog the cylinders or put fuel stabilizer in the tank? Is there anything special about the DEF system that needs to be done?

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[Rusty PW]

Check some RV forums on how some store their diesel motorhomes. When I stored my diesel motorhome outside. I topped of the fuel tank, and put battery tenders on it. Nothing like having 6 batteries to look after. I would start it about once a month and let it run for a half hour.

 

[22EcoDs]

They make diesel fuel stabilizer, I'd run that, plus hotshots winter antigel if you are in freeze zones. Add a charger. That should be enough. For the def I think I'd completely fill it. Keeping it low in the tank I heard can cause crystals.

 

[Free2roam]

Reviving this thread. I may be taking an extended trip. Some bucket list stuff to check off. Does anyone have anymore information on this? I'm thinking 2 years or so.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Reviving this thread. I may be taking an extended trip. Some bucket list stuff to check off. Does anyone have anymore information on this? I'm thinking 2 years or so.

Looking back, I wish I would’ve sold some things I let sit around for that long. Are you sure you want to keep it?

 

[22EcoDs]

Diesel fuel stabilizer in as low of a tank as possible. Fresh diesel when you come back. I would drain the def and flush with distilled water. Fresh def when you're back. Coolant, tranny, oil should be fine. Batteries both disconnected. Fluid film the underside and some sort of rodent prevention, they like the wire coating and hood foam. Axles on jack stands. Tires will be very flat spotted if you let it sit on them for 2 years. Not a lawyer nor a paid attorney spokesman.

 

[Free2roam]

Looking back, I wish I would’ve sold some things I let sit around for that long. Are you sure you want to keep it?

To much money invested to get what I would want for it. Besides it's paid off. So is the house and wife's car.
They will both be in a locked storage facility on jack stands.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I would follow the advice of @22EcoDs in #6.

Maybe put 45 PSI on the tires and maybe not use axle stands, but this is just personal preference.

 

[Free2roam]

Diesel fuel stabilizer in as low of a tank as possible. Fresh diesel when you come back. I would drain the def and flush with distilled water. Fresh def when you're back. Coolant, tranny, oil should be fine. Batteries both disconnected. Fluid film the underside and some sort of rodent prevention, they like the wire coating and hood foam. Axles on jack stands. Tires will be very flat spotted if you let it sit on them for 2 years. Not a lawyer nor a paid attorney spokesman.

How do you drain the def? Is there some sort of drain plug? Or hose?or just basically run it dry as much as possible?

 

[Medical_Bartender]

Two years is quite a while. I recently returned to my vehicles after 9 months out of country.

-Fuel stabilizer (mine are gas rigs) For your diesel I'd consider what others have suggested and get the tank as dry as possible. But depending on where you are (NV?) that might lead to weird pressure/moisture fluctuations...but as long as you drain the water separator when you get back and fresh diesel I'd imagine that would be just fine.

-Air up tires to 45-50psi. I didn't do this because I was in a rush when it came time to leave and I had a very annoying shimmy/wobble for a while when I got back. Running the tires warm on the interstate will help correct any flat spots you might get. Even better lift and put on jack stands so pressure is off the tires.

-Battery tender - I used NOCO's and had no issues with my battery systems

-Drain and fill with fresh oil after you park it where it'll stay

-(This may be gas only...so verify) If you give 100% throttle when cranking it will prevent the engine from actually starting and allow you to dry crank it and build oil pressure so you aren't starting a completely dry engine. I did this 2-3 times for about 5 seconds and I didn't have the noisy valvetrain clatter that usually happens with a dry start. I don't know if this works for diesel though since there are no spark plugs.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

For two years, honestly, if selling isn't an option (which I understand) I would see if you can just get a good friend to borrow it for that amount of time. Let them drive it a couple times a month, give them an advance to cover oil changes (probably two total?).

Vehicles do not like to sit, and 2 years is a long time to sit.

 

[22EcoDs]

How do you drain the def? Is there some sort of drain plug? Or hose?or just basically run it dry as much as possible?

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/how-to-drain-def-tank.81005/post-1319029

 

[merc3065]

Things I did before I went away:
Change all the oils (front/rear diffs, transfer case, engine oil with filter). Sprayed the exposed metal on the underside with a light oil.
Took road liability insurance off the vehicle but kept comprehensive
Filled the DEF tank to full
Filled the diesel tank to full and added fuel stabilizer
Waxed the exterior
Cleaned the interior of any sort of food crumbs and put a leather conditioner on all the leather trim and seats.

Things I didn't do but should have:
Used a battery tender
Jack the axles up off the tires
Protect the brakes from the elements (not sure how do this)
Store it in my shed garage vs. outside beside the garage

When I got back I ran the engine oil for about 1000km before changing the oil filter and fuel filter.
I had to replace the tires due to severe flat spots (they had 70000km on them anyhow).
Chose to replace the brake rotors and pads (70000km but also surface corrosion from being stored outside. 1000km did not clean the rotor surface unfortunately).

One of the reasons for storing outside was that the dealer was doing work on it while I was away (replacement rear axle due to axle locker issue and new tires) and my pole barn was getting a concrete pad poured inside while I was away so I couldn't park it out of the elements.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Filling the DEF tank is not a good idea, in my opinion.
And if, I would at least put this DEF stabilzer in.

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